The One With "Asians Prefert Someone Who Knows Where Asia Is"

This is too good to let go unsaid:

Asians prefer someone who knows where Asia is

Nury Vittachi , Bangkok | Sat, 10/11/2008 11:25 AM | Opinion

A Western journalist called me the other day to ask what Asians thought of Sarah Palin.

"Just a minute," I said. "I'll ask them."

I held my hand over phone, counted to 20 and then got back on the line. "They like him," I said. "But they think he should make more episodes of Monty Python."

There was a long pause. I heard the journalist's brain cell click into place. "That's not Sarah Palin," she eventually said. "That's Michael Palin."

"Well, Asians would like her to tell her husband to make more episodes of Monty Python."

"Actually, I don't think Michael Palin is her husband."

I took a sharp intake of breath. "They are not legally married? That's something that Asians definitely do not approve of."

"No, no, no, she's married to someone else, not Michael Palin."

"That makes it worse," I said.

There are few things in life more pleasurable than tormenting American journalists. The only downside is that it is so easy. They are absolutely convinced that the rest of the world watches every detail of what happens in the United States as if it was some sort of wacky global sitcom designed to entertain the rest of the planet. Actually, that is more or less the case. But I still like teasing them.

Anyway, the caller explained in words of one syllable that Sarah Palin could possibly be "the second most powerful person in the world" in a month and she needed a comment from Asia for a feature she was writing.

"I understand," I said. "Well, the first thing that Asians would want to know is does this Palin come from Palin?"

"What do you mean?" she said.

"You do know there's a place called Palin in Asia?" Silence.

"It's 400 kilometers north of Yangon. You do know where Yangon is, don't you?" I asked.

She changed the subject. "Sure, but are Asians concerned that someone with no practical understanding of Asia could soon be in a position of global leadership?"

It was my turn to sound baffled. "George W Bush has been leader of America for eight years already. There's a difference?"

"Ms Palin's level of familiarity with Asia makes George W Bush look like an old China hand," she replied.

"Now you're scaring me," I complained.

"So Asians wouldn't vote for her?"

"Most of us are not even allowed to vote for our own leaders. What's the point of asking us whether we'd vote for yours?"

Her tone was becoming icy, so I decided to strike a more conciliatory note. "What's Ms Palin's position on Jammu and Kashmir? How does she see Taiwan? For late-night takeaways, does she prefer Indian or Chinese?"

The journalist told me that Ms Palin had expressed no opinions on those subjects. But she claimed to have foreign experience, since she lived in Alaska, which was near Russia.

I nodded into the phone. "Alaska is near Russia, and Russia is near Asia, so that make her an Asia expert."

"She might think so," the journalist said.

Reluctantly, I decided I had to give a straight answer. "I think most Asians would rather that Obama's team won."

"Because he has lived in Asia?"

"Because his favourite food is chilli. He says his heart is all-American, but his bowels are definitely Asian."

The writer is a journalist and columnist. He can be reached at www.vittachi.com [1]

Copyright © 2008 The Jakarta Post - PT Bina Media Tenggara. All Rights Reserved.

The One With The Bureaucracy in Latin America

I posted this on the spin-off blog.

Check it out, because it backs up some stuff I wrote in previous entries.

The VS and Bureaucracy in Latin America

And after you're done reading that,
this is something Tam gave me:

Doing Business 2009: East Asia & Pacific

So, what say you people?

The One With The Olympic Campaign "Heroes"

This one is entitled "HEROES"

The One With The Global World Cost Of Living Rankings 2008 / 2009

GLOBAL/WORLD COST OF LIVING RANKINGS 2008/2009

Kuala Lumpur gets a 106th ranking - - The survey relates to costs for expatriates but in Asia for example, food costs in restaurants patronised by locals are usually inexpensive compared with prices in areas frequented by tourists. Ceiling fans compared with air conditioning can eliminate a tax of 5% in Malaysia! The cost of a 4-dish meal for two, excluding beverages, at the Good World Chinese restaurant in Dublin, would cost about €75 ($112) - in Malaysia, the cost for an equivalent meal including steamed fresh fish, would cost €12 ($19).

Most expensive cities for expatriates are: Moscow, Tokyo, London, Oslo and Seoul.

Cheapest city for expatriates is Asunción in Paraguay.

European and Asian cities dominate the top 10.

Weakening of US dollar causes significant changes in rankings.

Worldwide Cost of Living Survey 2008: Moscow is the world’s most expensive city for expatriates for the third consecutive year, according to the latest Cost of Living Survey from Mercer. Tokyo is in second position climbing two places since last year, whereas London drops one place to rank third. Oslo climbs six places to 4^th place and is followed by Seoul in 5^th. Asunción in Paraguay is the least expensive city in the ranking for the sixth year running. Dublin remains the world's 16^th most expensive city and Europe's 8^th most expensive.

With New York as the base city scoring 100 points, Moscow scores 142.4 and is close to three times costlier than Asunción which has an index of 52.5. Contrary to the trend observed last year the gap between the world’s most and least expensive cities now seems to be widening.

Mercer’s survey covers 143 cities across six continents and measures the comparative cost of over 200 items in each location, including housing, transport, food, clothing, household goods and entertainment. It is the world’s most comprehensive cost of living survey and is used to help multinational companies and governments determine compensation allowances for their expatriate employees.

Yvonne Traber, a principal and research manager at Mercer, commented: “Current market conditions have led to the further weakening of the US dollar which, coupled with the strengthening of the Euro and many other currencies, has caused significant changes in this year’s rankings.”

She added: “Although the traditionally expensive cities of Western Europe and Asia still feature in the top 20, cities in Eastern Europe, Brazil and India are creeping up the list. Conversely, some locations such as Stockholm and New York now appear less costly by comparison. Our research confirms the global trend in price increases for certain foodstuffs and petrol, though the rise is not consistent in all locations. This is partly balanced by decreasing prices for certain commodities such as electronic and electrical goods. We attribute this to cheaper imports from developing countries, especially China, and to advances in technology”.

“Keeping on top of the changes in expatriate cost of living is essential so companies can ensure their employees are compensated fairly and at competitive rates when stationed abroad,” Traber said.

“In some cases, cost of living increases may be correlated to countries with a high rate of economic growth. Companies may assign high priority to expansion in these economies but may have to deal with inflationary pressures due to competition for expatriate-level housing and other services, as observed in our surveys,” she noted.

For example, Latvia had real GDP growth of 10.2 percent in 2007, well above the global average growth rate of 5.2 percent, and its capital, Riga, jumped to 46^th place in the latest Mercer ranking, up from 72^nd a year ago. Cities in India all rose in the cost of living ranking, with New Delhi climbing to 55^th place from 68^th a year ago, as India posted a real GDP growth rate of 9.2 percent in 2007. Bogota jumped to 87^th place from 112^th, reflecting Colombia’s 7 percent real GDP growth.

Europe, Middle East and Africa

Moscow is ranked the most expensive city both in Europe and globally for the third year running. The city’s score has steadily increased over the last few years and is currently at 142.4 (compared to 134.4 in 2007 and 123.9 in 2006). “Moscow’s position as the most expensive place for expatriate living has been strengthened by the appreciation of the rouble against the US dollar and the continuous rising accommodation costs,” said Ms Traber.

London is the next European city in the ranking at 3^rd place (score 125), down one from last year, while Oslo has jumped six places to rank 4^th with a score of 118.3. “Norwegian property prices were at an all-time high towards the end of last year after a 50 percent increase in the last five years. Coupled with the continuous strengthening of the Norwegian Krone this has created a substantial increase in living costs for expatriates in Oslo,” said Ms Traber, principal at Mercer.

Dublin remains at 16th place for the second year, just ahead of Rome. Patrick Robertson, Principal in Mercer Ireland said: “Despite price increases in a number of categories, the relative position of Dublin has not changed over the last year. For expatriates working in Ireland, Dublin is still ranked amongst some of the most expensive major cities in Europe and internationally”.

Other European cities in the global Top 10 include Copenhagen at 7^th (117.2) and Geneva in 8^th (115.8). Both cities have dropped one place from last year. Zurich remains in 9^th place (112.7), whereas Milan climbs one to 10^th place with a score of 111.3. Sofia in Bulgaria is again the least expensive European city for expatriates in 97^th place (76.9), although the city has climbed 11 places in the overall ranking.

Several European cities have experienced a significant rise in the rankings this year, mainly as a result of local currency strengthening against the US dollar. For example, Prague has jumped from 49^th to 29^th place (score 96) and Warsaw is up to 35^th place (score 95) compared to 67^th in 2007. Istanbul has climbed 15 places to rank 23 (score 99.4) reflecting the Turkish lira’s significant appreciation against the US dollar as well as general price increases, especially for accommodation.

In addition to London dropping one place, two additional UK cities, Birmingham and Glasgow, have both moved down in the rankings, dropping from 41^st to 66^th (score 85.4) and 36^th to 69^th (score 84), respectively. “In contrast to the strengthening euro and other European currencies, the British pound has remained relatively stable against the US dollar. As the cost of living in the Eurozone has risen relative to the US, UK cities have declined in the rankings,” according to Yvonne Traber.

Tel Aviv is again the most expensive city in the Middle East, positioned 14^th (score 105) on the global list, up three places from 2007. Both Dubai and Abu Dhabi have dropped significantly this year, positioned at 52 (score 89.3) and 65 (score 85.7), respectively. This is mainly due to the UAE dirham being pegged to the US dollar. Most African cities in the survey have moved down the ranking with the exception of Lagos in Nigeria, which has jumped seven places to join the Top 30 at position 30 (score 95.9).

The Americas

The only North American city to feature in this year’s top 50 is New York in 22^nd place (score 100), dropping seven places in one year. All other US cities have also experienced a significant decline in the rankings. For example, Los Angeles has moved from 42^nd to 55th place (score 87.5), Miami from 51^st to 75^th place (score 82) and Washington, DC, from 85^th to 107^th place (score 74.6).

“The decline in the ranking of all US cities is due to the weakening value of the US dollar against most major world currencies,“ said Mitch Barnes, principal at Mercer in the US. “The dollar has been declining steadily for the past several years, which has resulted in an overall decrease in the cost of living in 19 US cities, relative to other major global cities studied. On the bright side, the US dollar's loss of value may serve to attract globally mobile executives to business centres such as New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. The difference in cost of living can be significant, particularly for those executives with families."

In 54^th place (score 88.1), jumping 28 places from last year, Toronto is the most expensive city for expatriates in Canada. All other Canadian cities in the survey have experienced similar rises, with Vancouver moving from 89^th to 64^th (score 85.8), Calgary from 92^nd to 66^th (score 85.4) and Montréal from 98^th to 72^nd with a score of 83. This reverses last year’s trend which saw Canadian cities decline, and places them back where they have traditionally been rated. The Canadian dollar has appreciated nearly 15 percent against the US dollar, the main reason for these movements.

The two top-ranking cities in South America are São Paulo in 25^th place (score 97) and Rio de Janeiro in 31^st place (score 95.2), jumping 37 and 33 places, respectively. The Brazilian real appreciated nearly 18 percent against the US dollar last year, causing these Brazilian cities to rocket up the list. Another high-riser in this region is Caracas, jumping 40 places from 129^th to 89^th (score 79.3). High inflation in Venezuela has caused a sharp increase in the price of food and household products.

South America also has some of the lowest ranking cities globally. Asunción is the least expensive city for the sixth consecutive year (score 52.5), followed by in Ecuador in 142nd (score 54.6), Buenos Aires in 138th (score 62.7) and Montevideo in 136th (score 63.2).

Asia

Tokyo is the costliest Asian city, in 2^nd place (score 127), two places up since last year. Seoul follows in 5^th place (score 117.7) and Hong Kong closely after in 6^th with a score of 117.6. Singapore ranks 13^th and holds a score of 109.1. Karachi continues to be the least costly city in this region, in 141st place with a score of 54.7.

Whilst the five top-scoring cities in Asia remain relatively stable in the ranking there have been significant changes further down the list. In India, Mumbai moves up four places to reach 48 (score 90.3), whereas New Delhi climbs 13 places to 55 (score 87.5) due to the strengthening of the India rupee against the US dollar. Although India has experienced relatively high inflation, this has increased at similar pace to New York and has therefore had a reduced impact on its cities’ rise in the rankings. Manila rises a total of 27 places, ranking 110th with a score of 73.4, mainly as a result of price increases for international-standard accommodation.

In contrast, certain cities in this region have experienced significant falls in the ranking. Some examples are Jakarta falling from 55^th to 82^nd place (score 80.5) and Bangkok dropping from 95^th to 105^th place with a score of 75.1. In Vietnam, Hanoi drops 35 places to rank 91 (score 79) and Ho Chi Minh City drops 40 places to rank 100^th (score 76.3), mainly because the Vietnamese dong has remained stable against the US dollar and so has pushed these cities down on the list. The low level of inflation observed on goods in these Vietnamese cities compared to in New York has further widened the gap.

Australia and New Zealand

Sydney continues to be the most expensive city for expatriates in this region, moving up six places in the overall ranking to reach 15^th place (score 104.1). Melbourne follows in 36^th place (score 94.2), jumping 28 places and Perth climbs 31 places to reach ranking number 53 (score 88.5).

Both Australian and New Zealand cities are moving up in the rankings due to the appreciation of their local currencies against the US dollar. New Zealand’s cities remain the less costly option for expatriates, however, with Auckland in 78^th place (score 81) and Wellington in 93 (score 77.6).

Mercer Cost of Living Survey – Worldwide Rankings, 2008

The indices are based on Mercer's cost of living database and are modified to include rental accommodation costs and to reflect constant weighting and basket items. We do not recommend that expatriates use the figures represented here to compare their own compensation packages.

For more information:
Mercer – Cost of Living Survey 2008

Tom Toles: Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Where The Hell Is Matt

I saw this on MSN Videos and found it adorable. Waited till the end, coz I thought it was a commercial or something. Throughout, I kept thinking: Where is Wally?




More stuff, go to

The One With The Ramblings On Petrol Prices' Hike

I was reading through Malaysia's once longest serving Prime Minister, Tun Dr. Mahathir's blog: Chedet and I found the following information interesting:

Roughly Malaysia produces 650,000 barrels of crude per day. We consume 400,000 barrels leaving 250,000 barrels to be exported.

Three years ago the selling price of crude was about USD30 per barrel. Today it is USD130 – an increase of USD100. There is hardly any increase in the production cost so that the extra USD100 can be considered as pure profit.

Our 250,000 barrels of export should earn us 250,000 x 100 x 365 x 3 = RM27,375,000,000 (twenty seven billion Ringgit).

But Petronas made a profit of well over RM70 billion, all of which belong to the Government.

By all accounts the Government is flushed with money.

But besides petrol the prices of palm oil, rubber and tin have also increased by about 400 per cent. Plantation companies and banks now earn as much as RM3 billion in profits each. Taxes paid by them must have also increased greatly.

**************

I wrote this on mymatahari's blog as a comment to her latest entry, but decided after that I should just make it an entry on my own.

It's times like these that I'm glad I don't own a car.

Take into account that RM 1 = Argentine Peso 1;
Price of 1 litre petrol for both countries are RM 2.70 and Pesos 2.80 each.

Then take into account that government officials from both countries have (more or less) the same salary base. And take into account that both countries have a relatively high rate of government employment among its people.

But, here, the prices of everyday commodities and food supplies are almost double that found in Malaysia. Alot of goods here are imported - even local goods are sold at imported prices, with less than pleasing quality. So how do they cope - well, barely, that is?

Once I find out, I'll let you know. In the meantime, I wish the Malaysian Government would realize the importance of a good and efficient mode of public transportation. I still can't get from Point A to Point B in KL (that's Kuala Lumpur to you lot) without having to change to another public transportation - or to take the taxis, which are already ridiculously expansive in Malaysia. I mean, here in Argentina, I can go from one end of the city to the next by using the subway (maybe change once, and even then, I don't have to pay another round). Subways and buses here costs like 90 cents per ride (Peso 1.00 on a bus if it's almost within the city's borders).

That said, I still have a thing against buses, but have been made to take it here in an effort to save costs. This year, I've decided to rely less on taxis, and thanks to Jessica, I realized that a Pesos 20.00 cab ride can still get me to the same place a Pesos 0.90 bus ride can (though I might have to walk some distance).

If the Government of MALASia (that's how it's spelt in Spanish - malas in Malay means lazy) can improve on the nation's public transportation system, I doubt the rakyat can complain too much.

Or perhaps, it's time to reconsider the HyBrid cars:

Until then, THIS Vivacious Superboy will continue to fly (high as a kite).

A shout out to Tam: Thanks so much for being the selfless driver that you are and always willing to drive me to our usual haunts. And fyi to you nosey lot, I pay the parking so SHUSH!